Twelve-month M.A. Program in Religious Studies

Are you a Religious Studies student who wants to take your study of religion to a new level? Want an opportunity to explore a particular issue or concept in depth? An MA in Religious Studies at Queen's University will give you that chance.

We offer a theoretically challenging and internationally-acclaimed twelve-month M.A. program, with generous financial assistance including the opportunity for every student to be a Teaching Assistant.

Students may pick varied courses through which they broaden and deepen undergraduate backgrounds.The program focuses on the relationship between religion and culture (ancient or contemporary).Our courses equip students with the tools to analyze and question issues of politics, culture, race, gender and science in the construction of religion.

The program also places an emphasis on contemporary theories and methods in the study of religion.Developing excellent research and writing skills is one of our most important goals.These skills are further honed as students have the opportunity to write a research essay that focuses on a particular religious tradition or phenomenon.

Queen's offers a small but outstanding faculty with significant research and publications in several areas including:

The program is designed to be completed within twelve months.Students take one core course and two elective courses in both the fall and winter terms, then write a master's essay over the summer. More about our program requirements...

We are able to provide substantial funding to qualified students through Queen's scholarships. Our students have also been successful in competitions for Ontario Graduate Scholarships and Canada Graduate Scholarships. Students also receive funding as research or teaching assistants. Currently students are guaranteed a minimum of approximately $15,000 in total funding.

Students will have the opportunity to work as research or teaching assistants for Queen's professors. Because we do not have a PhD program at Queen's, we are able to devote all our resources and attention to MA students and can give them research and teaching opportunities that other institutions cannot match.

An M.A. in Religious Studies can lead to a variety of opportunities such as:

·Admission to Doctoral work

·Public policy research and analysis

·International development work

·A career in education

·Journalism

·Work in any setting which values an understanding of multiculturalism and diversity

Graduates of our program have been accepted into Ph.D. programs at Queen’s University, University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, York University, University of Waterloo, University of Ottawa, McMaster University and institutions in the USA and UK.Others have worked for private or public sector employers as journalists, public policy analysts, researchers and educators.

Our application process is entirely online. Click here to find out how to begin the process and to learn more about admission requirements.

If you are interested in learning more about this exciting program, please contact Pamela Dickey Young, Co-ordinator of Graduate Studies.